"Finn" 1959 15.6 ft. Peterborough Lake SimcoePurchased June 20, 1959 by G.C. Brennand
RR# 1 Utterson, Ontario
from Johnson's Boats and Motors
Pefferlaw, Ontario
The Watts purchased the boat from the family (T. J. Dinsmore) September 20, 2007. The boat had not been in the water for the past seven years, but is in excellent condition.
It is a “Lake Simcoe” model which is a version of the Peterborough Handy Boy having two additional side planks. The original bill of sale from Johnson’s indicates that the price of the boat was $595 and the motor $732.
Fall and winter finds Jim's second boat back at John’s Little Boat Shop where she was stripped down to the bare wood and layers of varnish were built up.
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It was decided to replace the original motor with a new Johnson E-tec for environmental and reliability reasons. This required modifying the transom to accommodate the 20” long shaft vs. the previous 15” short shaft engine. It meant splitting the transom from the sides and cutting 14 inches off, then replacing it with a new piece of mahogany and putting the transom and sides back together. Almost 200 sheets of sandpaper were used, then over she went and a West System was applied, this time with a clear finish as this boat came with a clear bottom. 17 liters, and 12 coats of varnish later, 'Finn' (named after the Watt's first grandchild) is ready for its hardware and engine.
Photo at right a close up to count screws for re-installation of new decal
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A beautifully designed cushion arrangement by Merridy, and fabricated by Ship N Shore Canvas completed this boat to perfection.
On a bright flat calm Wednesday afternoon in early spring Jim and John Hendren took her for a test run.from Gannon Narrows to the Bridgenorth causeway and back, but they could have gone forever. She rode like a dream and looked as though it had come right out of the OMC test facility at Oak Orchard on Buckhorn Lake.
On display at Lansdowne Place Mall
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Enjoying the Assocation's High Point Tour, August 2008, shown here exiting the Limestone ditch at Fenelon Falls, heading into Sturgeon Lake
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Read about Jim Watt's Greavettes